Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had announced on Monday, Aug 5, all of the governments expenditure on childcare ($450 million), car industry ($42.6 million to Toyota for its Altona manufacturing), mental health ($21 million) on top of the controversial mini-Budget resulting in the increase of taxes and cut spending by $17 billion to recover the $33 billion hit to revenue, Herald Sun reported.

"This is just practical stuff to help families struggling with cost of living pressure - good for families, good for cost of living and good for the economy. I have more respect for your money than to just write blank cheques to industries, which, let's face it, have been very good at using taxpayer's money but haven't always been that good at maintaining production and jobs," Mr Rudd defended himself.

However, the business sectors at Griffith were already unimpressed that they gave Mr Rudd cold shoulders when he debated for Griffith against Liberal National Party's candidate, medical specialist, Bill Glasson, during the Tuesday debate.

No amount of prodding from Mr Rudd can stir the Griffith voters.

"I will continue to serve you as local member if you choose to re-elect me. But the big plan is to roll out the National Broadband Network across every single household, every single small business here and the wider community," Mr Rudd said in his speech.

Mr Rudd tried to be consistent with his positive vibes, saying that he welcomed the debate with his rivals, but to no avail.

"It is good for our local democracy. When we stand for public office, we should come. So I welcome Bill's contribution, I welcome Geoff's and Karin's as well, because it is you the people, who decide."

This is the very first public appearance of Mr Rudd for his election campaign, but he received cold treatments to almost booing from the audience. To add insult to injury, Mr Rudd was in seat of power in Griffith since 1998, boasting an 8.5 per cent margin.

"This is my community and I love it very much. I haven't got everything right but you know something, I've got a few things right," Mr Rudd continued.

Still, cheers and applause were louder when it was time for Mr Glasson to talk focusing on a "collapse in business confidence."

"As I speak to the business owners in Griffith, it is obvious that the current environment of high taxes and high regulation is having a significant impact on the business sector. For most, the revenue is flat. For those with any revenue growth, gains have been offset by increasing costs. Particularly labour, electricity and compliance."

Mr Rudd tried to recover by saying that his Mr Glasson was hypocritical for being a medical professional to represent a party which openly welcomed political donations from tobacco companies.

At this point, one audience shouted at Mr Rudd.

"Don't be so ignorant," yelled one of the audience.

In the end, though Mr Rudd was the first act during the debate, he came second to Mr Glasson in the hearts, and maybe ballots, of the Griffith voters.

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